10. Washington Newsies

Two hours later, I arrived back at the hotel with five more new dresses, and a slightly better understanding of Drake.

I figured that he wasn't quiet because he was dumb, but that he was just a silent kind of guy.

My guess was that he grew up in the way I was, ignored and trained to remain quiet. The only difference between us would be that I learned ways of getting my attention, where Drake learned better ways for being ignored.

"Do you think Jim will still be in a bad mood?" I asked Drake, when we reached the hotel room.

"Nah, I'se guessing dat he floited with the maid and got a few kisses outta her, not to mention a few dollahs. He'll be feelin too proud of 'imself tah be mad at you."

Indeed his mood was cheerful and I'm sure that if I saw the maid, she would be walking around with stars in her eyes. She wouldn't realize she was missing her money until much later.

"Hello me ladies man, how are we this fine morning?"

"Hello my darlin water goil, your lucky yoah still alive." Jim replied, in a taunting voice.

I stuck out my tongue at him and walked behind the window curtains.

"Well I'm starving, care to join me for lunch Loki?"

"I must change first, I wouldn't want to be seen wearing the same outfit two days in a row." I said, smoothing my blue dress.

" Becoming quite the snot are we now?" teased Jim, making his way to the door.

I don't know what possessed me, but as Jim was leaving, I reached out and pinched his bum.Jim jerked forward and made a startled noise. I laughed and quickly shut the door in his face before he could do anything back.

Jim and I headed down the hall, and passed Drake on the way.

"Eating with us Drake?" asked Jim.

"Already ate," he grunted. "I think I founds dah right place foah us. I'm gonna check it out, and show you'se it aftah."

Jim agreed, and we left the hotel. We decided to eat at a little diner somewhat the equivalent to Tibby's in New York.

There were actually quite a few newsies eating there, and it stirred up old feelings in me.

When one boy was heading for the door I put my leg out and he tripped, crashing to the ground.

"Owe my leg! Do watch where you are going boy! You should be happy I don't go to the police about this."

The boy got up and glared at me and I glared right back.

Finally the guy stormed out and I grinned and looked over at Jim whose face had gone red in the attempt not to laugh.

We soon exited the building and another newsie came up to us.

"Buy a paper Ma'am?" he asked me. I was about to refuse, but I saw the boy I tripped watching.

"Go on, James, buy a paper from him," I commanded.

Jim raised and eyebrow, but played along in my game, giving the boy a penny for his paper.The tripping boy looked at me with his mouth hanging open, he didn't think I would buy one. I smiled and blew a kiss at him.

"That boy has propb'ly peed in his pants thanks to you," said Jim, as we walked on.

My face broke into a huge grin, and I shoved my face against Jim's arm, trying to regain my composure.

"You are quite the midget aren't you?" asked Jim, looking down at me.

I jerked my face away and walked in front of him, my head in the air.

"I'm sorry Loki. How else was I to get revenge after you pinched my rear this morning? However, I can understand how tempting it would be to touch such a fine bottom as mine."

"Cocky git," I muttered.

"I heard that."

"You were meant too."

"Why you little-"

"Drake darling!" I interrupted Jim and ran up to Drake, kissing him on both cheeks.

Drake eyed me funny, then looked at Jim who just shrugged.

Drake brought us to a big house in the center of the city. It looked nice on the outside, but the inside was beautiful! The renter was offering it to us fully furnished.

"Can you afford this?" I whispered to Jim; I didn't want the landlord to hear.

"My dearest. This is my job, so just leave it to me," Jim kissed my hand, and continued to hold it. "We'll take it!" he announced to the landlord. "Go choose the room of your desire."

I immediately released his hand and went running up the stairs.

After peering into each bedroom, I decide on the room whose walls matched the dusty rose colour of my dress.

It wasn't long after that before my clothes arrived, and I unpacked them into my very own closet!

I had never had room of my own before, so I was very pleased with this one.

But there was nothing to do in my room so I soon wondered down stairs.

Drake and Jim were sitting on one of the couches in the living room.

"So what we doin foah dis aftahnoon genteelmen?"

"We gots some planning tah do." Told Jim.

"You waste no time. Oh well. Just feed me suppah and I will stay out of yoah hair." I ruffled Drake's hair, as I walked past him.

I looked a round our new house. In it there was a kitchen, a living room, dining room, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. There was also a cellar, but I didn't want to go looking down there.

The house was too quite, and I felt like being noticed again. "Hey Jim, I'm gonna go an terrorize some street kids!"

"You'll do nuttin of the soaht!" Jim ran into the room and stepped in front of me. "Loki, we are tryin not to attract dat soaht of attention to us. So why don' yah go foah a calm walk or something?"

"Yoah dah boss," I said with a sigh. Working for Jim did have some disadvantages.

I stepped out into the chilly winter air. Unlike New York, there was no snow to be seen. The cold part was still there, but my clothes were warmer now, and I didn't feel it as much.

I looked for a bench to sit on but obviously there weren't as many benches in Washington.

I sighed as I thought of my hometown. It was hard to believe that it had been there only two days ago; it felt more like two months.

I gave up my search for a place to sit, and headed back to our home. In New York you had to know your way around such a big city, so I had no problems finding the house again.

Hanging up my coat, I crept into the dining room. Drake and Jim were hunched over the table that was covered in papers. I walked silently up behind Jim and placed my cold hands on his bare neck.

Jim jumped and when he saw me laughing hysterically at him, he let out a string of curses, I only laughed all the more.

Drake began to laugh, but Jim whipped around and glared at him, so he quickly sobered.

"Drake, take Loki out and buy her some gloves," said Jim.

Drake and I looked at each other, trying to contain our smiles, and headed for the door. Jim stayed behind, still looking at his papers, and muttering angrily to him self. This was twice in the same day that I had made him grumpy.

Drake and I got my gloves (real leather) and we picked up dinner on the way home.

Jim was still in a fowl mood, so I took it upon myself to change that.

"Hey Sugah. What's a handsome fellah like you doin in a dump like dis?" I cooed.

"Stupid girl," mumbled Jim, trying to still look angry. He couldn't fool me, he had a huge grin on his face and he defiantly couldn't hide it.

I sighed. Men. You could get anything from them with a few flattering words and a pretty face.

Before I went to sleep that night I filled a pitcher of water and put it beside my bed, just in case. Sure Jim was in a different room now, but he's a crafty one and you can never be too careful.

....Wow i didn't think this chapter would be done untill saturday! Are we all happy. Yessssssss.

Shouts outs

Shrieksy: I'm glad that you liked your chapter. I hope that you like this one as well.

Koodles4you: I'm happy to make Loki the little trickster and i'm glad you like her that way. I also like Jim. At last she has found a worthy opponent.